Acura unveiled the production version of its 2019 RDX compact luxury SUV, and with it come vital details that fill in the missing pieces of what until now wasn’t known about this next-gen vehicle. In January Acura unveiled a “prototype” of the 2019 RDX, a thinly disguised version of the production vehicle seen here that launched at the New York International Auto Show.

Smaller engine, potent power

We already knew that the 2019 Acura RDX would ditch its current V6 engine and return to its first-gen roots with a turbocharged 4-cylinder. But unknown were its stats, and they’re impressive. The 2019 RDX’s 2.0-liter engine will make 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Though significantly smaller than the current 3.5-liter V6, this boosted 4-cylinder nearly matches the soon-to-be outgoing model’s 279 horsepower, and it easily passes that engine’s 252 lb-ft of torque. The new VTEC engine will be connected to a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Like the very first Acura RDX that originally debuted over a decade ago, this new model will offer Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). This torque-vectoring system is more advanced to ensure optimal grip on a variety of road surfaces. The new system can send up to 70 percent of torque to the rear wheels, and from there can send that power to either the right-rear or left-rear wheel.

More tech, more standard safety systems

Also now made official is that the new RDX’s snazzy infotainment system that uses a 10.2-inch high-def center display and intuitive touchpad controller will have Apple CarPlay integration, a boon for iPhone users. For the audio appreciators, the RDX will offer an optional 16-channel, 710-watt Acura ELS Studio 3D premium sound system developed in collaboration with Panasonic and tuned by Grammy-winning music producer Elliot Scheiner.

Other notable tech-forward features include standard 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi and an optional 10.5-inch full color head-up display that projects customizable information onto the windshield so drivers can keep eyes facing forward.

The new 2019 Acura RDX is set to arrive midyear in both standard form and in an RDX A-Spec sport variant that adds features like larger wheels and blacked-out aesthetics. Pricing for the 2019 RDX will be announced closer to launch. The current model starts just under $37,000 in front-wheel-drive form, which undercuts rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.